NKY RESTAURANT GUIDE 2020 Our staff has gathered an array of Northern Kentucky’s favorite dining spots new and old for this year’s restaurant guide. Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, pizza or burgers, familiar favorites or creative new cuisine, the 12 restaurants that follow offer something to satisfy any diner or gourmand. Find a new favorite or rediscover an old one among these great eateries spread throughout the area.
By the Editors
CAMPOROSSO 2475 Dixie Hwy., Fort Mitchell camporosso.com 859-331-0155 Restaurant type: Italian and pizza Atmosphere: Upscale casual Price range: $12-$22
Year opened: 2017 Most-popular menu items: Wood-fired Pizza, House Crafted Meatballs Why you should go: This Northern Kentucky pizzeria does Neapolitan-style right in a unique setting. Try authentic wood-fired
pizzas like the Margherita or the Prosciutto and Fig or great pastas like the Penne with Pesto. The locally and family-owned eatery offers plenty of Italian wine and other libations that will invite you to stay a while in its warm and inviting dining room.
THE PUB CRESTVIEW HILLS 2853 Dixie Hwy., Crestview Hills experiencethepub.com 859-426-7827 Restaurant type: Authentic British cuisine Atmosphere: Relaxed full-service Price range: $8-$21 Year opened: 2002 Most-popular menu items: Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash
Why you should go: With award-winning fish and chips accentuated by an authentic British pub atmosphere, any visit to The Pub will provide the experience of escaping across the pond, if only for a couple hours. Regulars have come to think of the Crestview Hills eatery and bar as their home version of Cheers and The Pub staff’s service strives to turn every first-time guest into a regular. www.BestofNKY.com
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279 BUTTERMILK PIKE • FORT MITCHELL, K Y 41017 • 859.331.3888 •
@BRUFORTMITCHELL
VISIT OTHER BRU BURGER BAR LOCATIONS ACROSS 3 STATES: KENTUCK Y – FORT MITCHELL , LE XINGTON INDIANA – CARMEL , E VANSVILLE, INDIANAPOLIS, L AFAYE T TE, NOBLE SVILLE, PL AINFIELD • OHIO – CINCINNATI, WE STERVILLE
BRUBURGERBAR.COM
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DRAKE’S 6805 Houston Road, Florence drakescomeplay.com/Florence 859-869-4840 Restaurant type: Beer, burgers and sushi Atmosphere: Relaxed full-service Price range: $10-$20 Year opened: 2013 Most-popular menu items: Mini Juicy Lucy Burgers, Crab Rangoon Roll Why you should go: Drake’s variety isn’t easily compared to other restaurants. Its specialties of burgers and sushi only hint at the diverse menu, which is well-complimented by a variety of beers and craft cocktails. The restaurant’s “come play” atmosphere includes darts, shuffleboard and giant Jenga to enjoy, as well as trivia nights on Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m.
COLONIAL COTTAGE 3140 Dixie Hwy., Erlanger thecottagenky.com 859-341-4498 Restaurant type: Traditional American Southern Atmosphere: Casual Price range: $3-$19 Year opened: 1933 Most-popular menu items: Pan-fried Half Chicken, Goetta and Eggs, Hot Bacon Spinach Salad Why you should go: Since its founding during the Great Depression, Colonial Cottage has served delicious, affordable food that stands the test of time. The restaurant has won NKY Magazine’s Best Fried Chicken nine years in a row and sells more goetta than anyone in the area. There are no white tablecloths here, just genuine comfort food from people who care.
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BRU BURGER BAR 279 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell bruburgerbar.com 859-331-3888 Restaurant type: American, Burgers Atmosphere: Relaxed full-service Price range: $10-$15 Year opened: 2018 Most-popular menu items: Bourbon Burger, Gorgonberry Pecan Salad, Onion Rings, Hand-Dipped Milkshakes
Why you should go: The American institution that is the hamburger is what Bru Burger Bar aims to perfect at its Fort Mitchell location. The restaurant is an ode to the company’s love for burgers made with local meats and freshly baked buns. Bru’s signature sandwiches pair great with one of the eatery’s hand-dipped milkshakes or a beer.
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COLONEL’S KITCHEN RESTAURANT 22 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., Ft. Thomas colonelde.com 859-215-0200 Restaurant type: American Atmosphere: Fast casual Price range: $5-$15 Year opened: May 2018 Most-popular menu items: Bean, Bourbon and Bacon Soup, The Flop (three buttermilk pancakes with cinnamon maple butter), Bacon Fried Rice Why you should go: “We do all our own baked goods—the breads, the biscuits, the buns, all of that stuff we make in house,” says owner Susan Stewart. “We have nothing fried here. Everything is done in the oven, roasted. We wanted to be healthy—healthy flavor. Our motto is just fresh flavorful food in a family-friendly atmosphere.”
WUNDERBAR
SUB STATION II 1826 Dixie Hwy., Fort Wright substationii.com 859-341-9494 Restaurant type: Sandwiches and salads Atmosphere: Quick service and carryout Price range: $5-$12 Year opened: 1989 Most-popular menu items: Super Special Italian, Ultimate Club
Why you should go: After over 30 years in business, Mike Monson’s Sub Station II is still serving up the best sub sandwiches in the area with the freshest ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing a quick sandwich to go or catering a whole party, the sandwich shop offers everything from classic and deluxe cold sandwiches—the Super Special is brimming with six different meats—to hot reubens, gyros and crisp salads.
1132 Lee St., Covington 859-815-8027 Restaurant type: German fare and sandwiches Atmosphere: Casual gastropub Price range: $7-$14 Year opened: 2012 Most-popular menu items: Pretzels and Beer Cheese, Pierogies, Wunderburger Why you should go: Celebrate the region’s German heritage with the hearty food and flowing beer at Wunderbar. This uniquely cool bar and grill offers recognizable German dishes like schnitzel, hand food favorites like brats and metts and a rotating brunch menu on weekends. www.BestofNKY.com
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Casual Chinese Restaurant 88 Carothers Road, Newport casualchinese.com 859-431-2900 Restaurant type: Chinese & Thai Atmosphere: Quick service and carryout Price range: $5-$15 Year opened: 1992 Most-popular menu items: Pad Thai Noodles, Sesame Chicken, Chicken Fried Rice Why you should go: Casual Chinese’s menu is brimming with traditional favorites for lunch and dinner as well as great chef’s specials. The affordable lunch specials— express specials are just $5.50 with many other lunch specials only $5.95—will get you in the door but the excellent service will keep you coming back for more.
Repertoire
The Kitchen by Butler’s Pantry 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Covington 859-292-5034 Restaurant type: Southern-inspired comfort food and breakfast Atmosphere: Casual yet refined Price range: $5-$15 Year opened: 2020 Most-popular menu items: Stuffed French Toast, Shaved Catfish Po’boy Why you should go: Southern soul is the
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theme from this brand-new restaurant on Covington’s riverfront. Offering breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, The Kitchen by Butler’s Pantry features a chef-driven menu, unique offerings like the brunch buildyour-own Bloody Mary bar and heaping helpings of hospitality. Chef Kyle Roberts has oriented the menu on scratch-made cooking to make guests feel at home in the restaurant and leave satisfied.
8645 Haines Drive, Florence repertoirenky.com 859-817-0146 Restaurant type: New American Atmosphere: Relaxed fine dining Price range: $8-$24 Year opened: 2019 Most-popular menu items: Brunch items like pancakes and omelets, Crab and Corn Hushpuppies Why you should go: Repertoire brings fine dining with incredible at tention to detail to Nor thern Kentucky. Don’t be fooled by its strip mall location—the restaurant space awaiting guests inside is unique and the food is unlike anything else in Florence. If you’re looking for a chef-prepared meal and a nice glass of wine, this is your spot.
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Every Saturday from 6-8pm come and enjoy the same dinner our events are eating.
FOR JUST $10.00 A DEAL YOU CANT REFUSE See why so many people give our events
5 Star Reviews
Newport Syndicate 18 E 5th St, Newport, KY 41071 859-491-8900 gangstersduelingpianobar.com
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PARLOR ON SEVENTH 43 W. Seventh St., Covington parloronseventh.com 859-993-4700 Restaurant type: Southern-inspired gastropub Atmosphere: Relaxed full-service Price range: $5-$16 Year opened: 2019 Most-popular menu items: “Mutter Gottes” Stuffed Breadsticks, Hot Mess Nachos, Parlor Pesto Chicken Thighs Why you should go: Parlor on Seventh serves elevated comfort food in a comfortable location in downtown Covington. The menu is distinctive while also being approachable, affordable and kid friendly. Whether you order carryout to take to Braxton Brewing Co. next door or stop in for lunch, you’ll have a unique experience at Parlor on Seventh. They also may not let you leave without trying the campfire cookies and milk.
Voted Best of NKY
2018
4 YEARS in a row
“Lettuce” show you what fresh truly is! We are grateful that the people of NKY recognize what goes into the comfort food in which we specialize. There is nothing more comforting than good fried chicken. Please join us soon! 3140 Dixie Highway • Erlanger, KY 41018 859-341-4498 • thecottagenky.com 28
We slice every sandwich to order. Produce is sliced everyday to ensure the best taste and without the addition of chemicals. Our bread is a true east coast Italian sub roll. 1826 Dixie Hwy Ft. Wright KY 41011
Order Now @ substationii.com Pick up or delivery
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COMFORTABLE CLASSICS AND EXOTIC EATS — NORTHERN KENTUCKY HAS THEM ALL AT THESE LOCAL RESTAURANTS African HORN OF AFRICA CAFE & RESTAURANT 7109 Turfway Road, Florence (859) 918-6060
American ANCHOR GRILL 438 Pike St., Covington (859) 431-9498 ARTHUR’S BISTRO ON THE GREEN 1911 Golf Club Drive, Burlington (859) 534-2668 arthursbistro.com BELLEVUE BISTRO 313 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue (859) 581-5600 bellevuebistro.com BOUQUET RESTAURANT 519 Main St., Covington (859) 491-7777 bouquetrestaurant.com BRU BURGER BAR 279 Buttermilk Pike, Ft Mitchell (859) 331-3888 bruburgerbar.com
BUCKHEAD MOUNTAIN GRILL 35 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue (859) 491-7333 buckheadmountaingrill.com
DIXIE CHILI 733 Monmouth St., Newport (859) 291-5337 dixiechili.com
FORT MITCHELL PUBLIC HOUSE 2053 Dixie Highway, Ft Mitchell (859) 331-0867 fortmitchellpub.com
KEYSTONE BAR & GRILL 313 Greenup St., Covington (859) 261-6777 keystonebar.com
BUFFALO BOB’S FAMILY RESTAURANT 9910 Berberich Drive, Florence (859) 371-5244 eatatbobs.com
THE ELUSIVE COW CAFE 519 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue (859) 291-0269 theelusivecow.com
FORT WRIGHT FAMILY RESTAURANT 1860 Ashwood Circle, Ft Wright (859) 331-8359
KITCHEN 1883 9003 US 42, Union (859) 334-9450 kitchen1883.com
EMPRESS CHILI 7934 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria (859) 635-5900 empresschilialexandria.com
GRANDVIEW TAVERN 2220 Grandview Drive, Ft Mitchell (859) 341-8439 grandviewtavern.com
LIBBY’S SOUTHERN COMFORT 35 W. Eighth St., Covington (859) 261-3106 libbyssoutherncomfort.com
COLONEL’S KITCHEN 22 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., Ft Thomas (859) 215-0200
FARMSTAND MARKET & CAFE 9914 Old Union Road, Union (859) 817-1134 thefarmstandmarket.com
GREYHOUND TAVERN 2500 Dixie Highway, Ft Mitchell (859) 331-3767 greyhoundtavern.com
MAD MIKE’S BURGERS & FRIES 6420 Dixie Highway, Florence (859) 647-6444 madmikesburgers.com
COLONIAL COTTAGE 3140 Dixie Highway, Erlanger (859) 341-4498 thecottagenky.com
FIRST WATCH 7727 Mall Road, Ste A, Florence (859) 283-9800 firstwatch.com
HEBRON BREW HAUS 2030 Northside Drive, Hebron (859) 534-5600 hebronbrewhaus.com
MIDWAY CAFE 1017 S. Ft Thomas Ave., Ft Thomas (859) 781-7666 themidwayky.com
COMMONWEALTH BISTRO 621 Main St., Covington (859) 916-6719 commonwealthbistro.com
FLIPDADDY’S BRILLIANT BURGERS & CRAFT BEER BAR 165 Pavilion Parkway, Newport (859) 431-2337 flipdaddys.com
HEBRON GRILLE 1960 N Bend Road, Hebron (859) 586-0473 hebrongrilleky.com
PEPPER POD RESTAURANT 703 Monmouth St., Newport (859) 431-7455
COBBLESTONE CAFE 654 Highland Ave., Ft Thomas (859) 781-3000 thecobblestonecafe.net
COPPIN’S AT HOTEL COVINGTON 638 Madison Ave, Covington (859) 905-6600 hotelcovington.com/dining
JOELLA’S HOT CHICKEN 2440 High St., Crescent Springs (859) 341-4444 joellas.com
PEEWEE’S PLACE 2325 Anderson Road, Crescent Springs (859) 341-4977
Take a trip across the pond... no passport required. CRESTVIEW TOWN CENTER CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY
ROOKWOOD COMMONS CINCINNATI, OH
BRILLIANT BRUNCH! SAT & SUN | 11AM-3PM exp eriencethepub.com
HAPPY HOUR M-F | 3-7PM
Beer, Wine & Cocktail Drink Specials
$5 Shareable Small Bites www.BestofNKY.com
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PURPLE POULET 603 Sixth Ave., Dayton (859) 916-5602 purplepoulet.com RAFFERTY’S RESTAURANT AND BAR 7379 Turfway Road, Florence (859) 371-1140 raffertys.com REALITY TUESDAY CAFE 1518 Dixie Highway, Park Hills (859) 261-4939 RICH’S PROPER FOOD & DRINK 791 Madison Ave., Covington (859) 415-0069 richsproper.com SUB STATION II 1826 Dixie Highway, Ft Wright (859) 341-9494 substationii.net TOUSEY HOUSE TAVERN 5963 N Jefferson St., Burlington (859) 586-9900 touseyhouse.com WALT’S HITCHING POST 3300 Madison Pike, Ft Wright (859) 360-2222 waltshitchingpost.com
WASHINGTON SQUARE CAFE & CATERING 5981 Jefferson St., Burlington (859) 586-0120 washingtonsquarekycafe.com YORK STREET CAFÉ 738 York St., Newport (859) 261-9675 yorkstonline.com
Bakeries MOONRISE DOUGHNUTS 3718 Winston Ave., Covington (859) 415-0308 moonrisedoughnuts.com. PARADISE DONUTS 2091 N. Bend Road, Hebron (859) 817-9348 paradisedonutsky.com
Barbeuce BUCK’S BBQ 640 Sixth Ave.,Dayton (859) 739-3953 premiumelitefoods.com CITY BBQ 2760 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights (859) 415-4544 citybbq.com FAMOUS DAVE’S 4931 Houston Road, Florence (859) 647-7788 famousdaves.com
HARMON’S BARBECUE 3481 Valley Plaza Pkwy, Ft Mitchell (859) 279-3662 SMOKE JUSTIS 302 Court St., Covington (859) 814-8858 smokejustis.com SMOKEY BONES BAR & FIRE GRILL 7848 Mall Road, Florence (859) 371-5425 smokeybones.com SMOKIN’ THIS AND THAT BBQ 10020 Demia Way, Florence (859) 817-0492 smokinthisandthatbbq.com
Cajun DEE FELICE CAFÉ 529 Main St., Covington (859) 261-2365 deefelicecafe.com KNOTTY PINE ON THE BAYOU 6302 Licking Pike, Cold Spring (859) 781-2200 theknottypineonthebayou.com
Chinese ASIAN PLACE 2220 Grandview Drive, Ft Mitchell (859) 578-8707 asianplaceky.com
CASUAL CHINESE 88 Carothers Road, Newport (859) 431-2900 casualchinese.com CATHAY KITCHEN CHINESE RESTAURANT 8049 Connector Drive, Florence (859) 282-0770 cathaykitchenky.com CHINA STAR 154 Barnwood Drive, Edgewood (859) 426-9688 chinastaredgewood.com FIRST WOK 3180 Dixie Highway, Erlanger (859) 344-8885 1stwokky.com GOLDEN WOK 1781 Patrick Drive, Burlington (859) 689-1888 goldenwokburlington.com HOT WOK 3420 Valley Plaza Pkwy, Ft Wright (859) 341-7700 chanshotwok.com KUNG FOOD CHU’S AMERASIA 521 Madison Ave., Ste. B, Covington (859) 261-6121 ORIENTAL WOK 317 Buttermilk Pike, Ft Mitchell (859) 331-3000 orientalwok.com
ORIGINAL WOK 5038 Old Taylor Mill Road, Taylor Mill (859) 431-3000 originalwok.com PEKING RESTAURANT 4335 Winston Ave., Covington (859) 292-8636 pekingcovington.com RAYMOND’S HONG KONG CAFÉ 11051 Clay Drive, Walton (859) 485-2828 SZECHUAN GARDEN BISTRO 1504 Dixie Highway, Park Hills (859) 491-0505 szechuangardenparkhills.com WOK & ROLL CHINESE RESTAURANT 4213 Richardson Road, Independence (859) 647-1888
German HOFBRAUHAUS 200 E. Third St., Newport (859) 491-7200 hofbrauhausnewport.com WUNDERBAR 1132 Lee St., Covington (859) 815-8027
Guatemalan TERCER DIA 915 Madison Ave., Covington
•Outstanding heading into the 28th year!•
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Indian AMOL INDIA 527 York St., Newport (859) 261-2317 amolindiacarryoutnewport.com GURU INDIA 2303 Buttermilk Crossing, Crescent Springs (859) 341-5858 guruindiarestaurant.com
Irish MOLLY MALONE’S IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT 112 E. Fourth St., Covington (859) 491-6659 covington. mollymalonesirishpub.com
Italian PEPPE CUCINA 39 W. Pike St., Covington (859) 360-0045 POMPILIOS 600 Washington Ave., Newport (859) 581-3065 pompilios.com
Japanese CHAKO BAKERY CAFE 611 Main St., Covington (859) 609-0166 chakobakerycafe.com
JO AN JAPANESE RESTAURANT 3940 Olympic Blvd., Erlanger (859) 746-2634 joanjapanese.com LA HIRO SUSHI AND SWEETS 8645 Haines Drive, Florence (859) 657-6600 sushiandsweets.com MATSUYA JAPANESE RESTAURANT 7149 Manderlay Drive, Florence (859) 746-1199 MIYAKO SUSHI & STEAKHOUSE 2511 Ritchie St., Crescent Springs (859) 578-0031 miyakorestaurant.com MIYOSHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT 8660 Bankers St., Florence (859) 525-6564 miyoshirestaurant.com SEA SUSHI & GRILL 7951 US Highway 42, Florence (859) 371-1688 seasushigrill.com
Korean RIVERSIDE KOREAN RESTAURANT 512 Madison Ave., Covington (859) 291-1484 riversidekoreanrestaurant.com
Mediterranean KABOBSKE 7563 Mall Road, Florence (859) 322-0112 kabobske.com PARADISE RESTAURANT & CAFÉ 4135 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring (859) 781-8000 paradisehookahcafe.com
Mexican ABUELO’S 2833 Dixie Highway, Crestview Hills (859) 344-1344 abuelos.com ACAPULCO 8101 Connector Drive, Florence (859) 282-0687 acapulcocinci.com AGAVE & RYE 635 Madison Ave., Covington (859) 360-1060 agaveandrye.com AGAVES 2010 N. Bend Road, Hebron (859) 689-5489 agaveshebron.com CANCUN MEXICAN BAR & GRILL 1781 Monmouth St., Newport (859) 291-9200 cancunmexicanrestaurantes.com
EL JINETE 5062 Old Taylor Mill Road, Taylor Mill (859) 360-1767 ejineterestaurants.com EL TORO BRAVO 625 Chestnut Drive, Walton (859) 493-0222 FRIDA 602 602 Main St., Covington (859) 815-8736 fridaonmain.com GUTIERREZ DELI 1131 Lee St., Covington (859) 431-3354 LA MEXICANA RESTAURANT & GROCERY 642 Monmouth St., Newport (859) 261-6112 MIAMI STYLE TACOS 8349 US 42, Florence (859) 534-0688 miamistyletacos.com MI TIERRA 3420 Valley Plaza Pkwy, Ft Wright (859) 331-1234 mitierrafortwright.com MONTOYAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT 2507 Chelsea Drive, Ft Mitchell (859) 341-0707
RIO GRANDE MEXICAN RESTAURANT 34 Carothers Road, Newport (859) 292-8750 riograndenewport.com TAQUERIA CRUZ 518 Pike St., Covington (859) 431-3859 taqueriacruzcincinnati.com TAQUERIA RAMIREZ 6910 Burlington Pike, Florence (859) 371-1190
Pizza ALTO PIZZA KITCHEN & BAR 43 W. Seventh St., Covington (859) 431-2586 alto-pizza.com CAMPOROSSO 2475 Dixie Highway, Ft Mitchell (859) 331-0155 camporosso.com
Comprehensive online dining listings for NKY at
www.BestofNKY.com.
www.BestofNKY.com
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